Oil and filter thread.

[bullet3z]

Ok, since there are a bunch of new owners around here these days myself included. I would like to get some oil and filter info that I am sure could help most of us. When the snow melts sometime in July I will get to the 600 mile point and need to change the oil. I already picked up the factory Ducati filter and filter wrench. Is everyone just taking the hit for the filter and using the factory one?

Also what type of oil and what weight is everyone using? I noticed that the oil brand that our bikes call's for is not imported into the USA. I also noticed that the Duc's use synthetic as the type that is 1st put into it.

I do not like Amsoil so I will not be using that.

[johnnymotocros]

Used Ducati labeled correct filter. ( Not all filters that "fit" work )
Used Mobil-1 ( have good stories )
Used regular circular clamp type filter wrench.
Removed oil after a long ride, engine still hot.
Let oil drain slowly.
Make sure to reinstall the thin washer on the oil drain plug.
Use proper torque.
Make sure the oil filter seal area is perfectly clean on both block & filter before reinstall.
Fill oil filter with oil as much as it will take before reinstall.
Start with a clean oil recovery pan, and look for metal/solid particles on old oil when you clean the pan, if you find any, start asking questions !!!
Make sure there are no oil leaks after work is done and engine run.
Make sure the oil level is within the lower/highest mark on the window, after engine run.
Dispose oil/filter properly. ( I cut the old filter open to see whats inside ).

[bullet3z]

What weight Mobil-1 are you using for summer riding?

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by bullet3z

What weight Mobil-1 are you using for summer riding?

I live in CA and I use 10W40 Motorcycle "Racing" Full syn Mobil 1, or lately Amsoil
motorcycle oil 10W40, & Amsoil EA oil filter, because its a little lower cost, with very good results, why do you not like Amsoil? Aloha Alex

[bullet3z]

Was never a big fan of the dealer only buy in to purchase the oil and products. That and I had a heated argument once with one of the dealers over the quality of the research that he provided for the oil.

Is 10-40 enough for the hot summer days with these motors? I am used to water cooled street bikes. I run heavier grade oil in my quad since it is not water cooled.

[08hyper]

Factory Ducati recommends the 10W40 for our air cooled motors, and even in my HOT climate its works just fine, remember its BEST for power to run the "lightest" recommended oil you can get away with, I change mine at every 2500mi, for me its easy to remember that way, 2500, 5000, 7500, etc. etc. Only when you do major engine mods, like big bore, HC pistons, cams, that would make extra engine heat would I use the heavier oils like the 20W50. Aloha Alex

[islandmotard]

Originally Posted by johnnymotocros

Used Ducati labeled correct filter. ( Not all filters that "fit" work )

by name what are some of the filters to stay away from????

also on some bikes there are more then one place to drain the oil...on our hypers is there only one?????

TIA

[johnnymotocros]

40 in winter, 50 in summer.
When I had the 900SS, the day I switched to Mobil-1 found that the usual operating oil temperature dropped about 1/8 on the gauge needle, whatever it was in degrees. Also the oil lasted much longer keeping the temp at that gauge level. The regular oil 40w lasted about a month then temp started increasing, M-1 lasted about three months. I could tell when an oil change was needed because of the temp increase in normal use.
One time I removed the full fairing and temp decreased about 1/4 range, from about half way to 1/4 range on the gauge. Oil cooling was so important on the FF SS that I became obsessed with the gauge, and was constantly looking at it. Thats another reason I like the HM, the engine is exposed, so cooling is not a big concern and makes me happier.
On the hyper, I am not paying much attention to the temp numbers, but got adicted to M-1 because of the 900SS experience with it.
I am sure other syntetics are as good as M1, but I find it in almost every store I go.

[johnnymotocros]

islandmortard,

The answer to your question is simple, if it does not say Ducati on it, you are taking a risk.
Oil filters have a lot to do with the flow of oil on an engine, some filters have internal bypass, different internal materials, etc. You don`t want to become a filter engineer, just install what is right.
If you could prove that another brand is mechanically the same, then I see no reason why not using it, but thats not easy.
You can also remove the oil from your engine with a vacuum oil pump, via the fill hole.

[BigHoss]

If you have time here is some good reading for information.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo...tml#OilFilters